A Trip Back in Time: Hanbok rentals and more!

When planning your trip to Korea, there are so many things you can add to the list, from shopping to amusement parks, day trips, museums, and visiting Korean preserved sites. There is one thing that is often mentioned but not often really talked about. Hanbok Rentals. 

Hanbok rentals are a traditional Korean outfit you can rent and wear around cultural sites and Hanok villages to get the perfect photo that puts you right into a historic K-drama. But how much do they cost? And is it worth it to pay the ‘premium’ price? 

Hanbok is a traditional Korean attire that exemplifies the rich history of the Korean peninsula, which spans from the three kingdom periods to the present day. Nowadays, we are even seeing hanboks being refreshed and turned new from brands during fashion shows, and people even upcycling IKEA shopping bags to give them a hanbok reset. There is so much history in these garments and although it is no longer worn in everyday life in Korea. It has stayed relevant, transforming into the tourist and local rental service we see it as today 

There are so many places around the city to rent a Hanbok. The main destination to rent and take photos is around Gyeongbokgung Palace. There are a ton of Hanbok shops that vary in pricing, styles, colors, and length. Most of the shops around the palace do an hourly rental system (1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours) Some places offer more than 4 hours, but if you plan to wear hanbok that long, I would suggest going on a cool spring or fall day where it is not too hot or cold. If you have the time, of course, go to the main palace to take photos in your hanbok because you do get in for free, however, just a quick subway ride away is another palace, and even the Bukchon Hanok Village, which also offers a beautiful backdrop to your Hanbok adventures. 

Both times I rented my hanbok, I went to the same shop, which  I will share the location of below. However, after talking to a lot of my classmates, I realized that the pricing and hourly rental options are all very similar. Most of the shops speak both Korean and English. The rental shop I went to offered services in Korean, English, Mandarin, and Japanese. Their prices were also reasonable, with a standard hanbok being 20,000 won for 2 hours and a premium hanbok for 30,000 won for 2 hours. There are additional fees that may be added depending on whether you want a ring skirt/ skirt you wear under your dress, and even if you choose a more flashy, complicated hairstyle (they do have 2 free options) 

There is so much to see and do in your traditional wear, so go on out, grab a few friends, get dressed, and live out your historical K-drama lives. 

Hanbok Rental Shop: Ohnelhary Hanbok

Address: 서울특별시 종로구 적선동 21 2층